Russian gas producer Novatek could order up to 47 LNG carriers for its Arctic projects before 2030.

The ships would cost a total of $14.1bn, based on the price of the first Arc7 vessels contracted for its huge Arctic LNG 2 project in the country's far east.

Novatek chairman Leonid Mikhelson said the company has received government permission to order 10 vessels outside Russia, in addition to between 35 and 37 units that may be contracted at the domestic Zvezda shipyard.